Ratby up next as Quorn battle on

IN A week when Quorn had had to stretch their playing resources to the maximum just to raise sides for Saturday’s Everards League fixtures, they were certainly looking to get any small advantage they could when Kibworth II were the visitors to Caves Field.

IN A week when Quorn had had to stretch their playing resources to the maximum just to raise sides for Saturday’s Everards League fixtures, they were certainly looking to get any small advantage they could when Kibworth II were the visitors to Caves Field.

Sadly, the toss was the first thing not to go their way; after torrential overnight rain and a mid morning downpour, the wicket was a damp and green affair on which Kibworth inevitably inserted Quorn.

Openers Richard Sharp and Richard Mear managed to post 37 runs before Mear’s dismissal, the first of Chris Hill’s three wickets for 32, saw Quorn slump to 41 for 4 and then 71 for 6 as all the Kibworth bowlers extracted extravagant bounce and movement from the wicket.

With Richard Cooper (40) digging in tenaciously and Ross Errington lambasting 31, the prospect of an early tea receded.

On his 1st XI debut, Michael Brown (14 not out) found an ally in Paul Cherry (11 not out); Cherry, playing his first game for four seasons, made use of some obdurate defence and lively running as the pair put on an unbeaten 36 to raise Quorn to a respectable 177 for 8.

James Tobin (2 for 51) struck early as Kibworth replied confidently, but Tom Burton (39) soothed any worries and, joined by wicketkeeper Steve Matthew, the game was wrestled from Quorn.

Matthew, who smashed eight fours and four sixes in his whirlwind 76, extinguished any chink of light Quorn had seen and, although a persevering Malinder Perera (2 for 57) claimed two late wickets, Kibworth strolled to a comfortable five wicket victory with five overs to spare.

Although beaten, Quorn can take heart from their fighting efforts and, with relegation beckoning they can go into next week’s game against fellow basement dwellers, Ratby Town, with some hope.

Continued team spirit, coupled with some long overdue good fortune, might still see them come into the last quarter of the season with some hope of Division One cricket in 2009.